Brick siding and surface covered therewith



Oct. 9, 1934. J. A. F EELY BRICK SIDING AND SURFACE COVERED THEREWITH Filed July 6, 1934 Patented Oct. 9, 1934 PATENT OFFICE" BRICK SIDING AND SURFACE COVERED THEREWITH Joseph A. Feely, Mei-ion, Pa.

Application July 6, 1934, Serial No. 734,062

Claims. (Cl. 20-5) My invention relates to brick siding and surfaces covered therewith, and more particularly to such siding of a flexible nature and in a strip form.

5 The primary object of my invention is to provide a siding of this type which will accurately simulate genuine brick construction.

A further object is to produce a brick siding strip which is flexible and light, but which is yet comparatively strong and which will not be moved or displaced in any manner by atmospheric conditions, such as wind or rain.

More particularly, my invention includes a brick simulating strip or shingle of a relatively flexible material, which is characterized by the presence of a uniformly thickened butt portion separated from the main portion by a sharply defined shoulder, so that when the strips are laid the brick simulating portions are separated by sharply delineated recesses.

In the past thickened butt siding has usually been formed by adding, by various ways and methods, additional thicknesses of .asphalt. To those familiar with the art embracing the use of bituminous materials (asphalt and/or tar and asphalt and/ or tar base) succeeding applications of either material do build up an increasing thickness or depth, but, it is equally true, contribute a direct hazard and. a positive shortening of the longevity of the bituminous materials in question. The effect of the suns rays on bituminous products applied in excessive or successive applications has a decided tendency to create greater susceptibility to atmospheric conditions, whether 85 heat or cold, and ultimately to promote a shortening of the longevity, as previously stated. This is brought about through the action of the suns rays in the heated period of the year, which would have a tendency to soften the surface coating and induce a creeping or pushing" condition, which is bound to spread over the edges, marring the finished effect so earnestly desired and ultimately the unseating or dislodgement of the granules used in simulating the brick effect. During the cold weather period of the year the low temperature conditions are recognized as producing a contraction or shortening of the bituminous material (asphalt and/or tar and asphalt and/or tar base), resulting in severe frac- 0 tures in the form of cracks in the surface and producing an alligator effect, which also contributes to the unseating or dislodgement of the granules used in simulating the brick effect.

The deficiencies recited are so clearly manifest 5 and the necessity for their correction so important that I have conceived and created a brick siding or'material for covering surfaces there'- with that will overcome and entirely eliminate the disadvantages recited, in that instead of an excessive or successive application of bituminous material I have succeeded in saturating and amalgamating two sheets of thoroughly saturated felt or organic or inorganic base, the upper course receiving a coating of bituminous material upon which is applied an application of granules simulating the brick effect. The afilnity between the two applications of felt is of such an intrinsical character that separation of the two layers is impossible, without the destruction of either the lower or upper felt.

In the execution of the thought conceived by me for my brick siding, I have, through my method or process, produced a brick sharply defined in its dimensions, providing in every aspect of appeal and utility a clearly defined recessed brick effect, avoiding as I do all dangers and hazard, of creeping or pushing effect of the bituminous materials for the simulation of a heavy butt efiect, contributing as it does, through the pushing and creeping effect, to a malformation of a brick, thereby depriving the siding of its natural appeal and utility.

I also claim that through the successful amalgamation of two layers of saturated felt of organic or inorganic base, I accomplish the sealing in of the asphalt saturant, reducing to the greatest possible minimum the possibility and hazard of a blistering or bleeding effect, either of which contributes to the dislodgement of the granules used in simulating the brick effect and through my method promote and continue to the greatest possible maximum the longevity of the brick siding.

Furthermore, the practice of the art heretofore in effect has been to cut the notches at the end of each brick determination so high that the cut-out notch in question appeared on or beyond what was supposed to be the mortar line eifect. Such notches weaken the strip, and give a long flap which is more likely to be raised by high winds and to let air or moisture through the wall, or break the shingle. This has been avoided in my arrangement, in that the notchesdo not extend beyond the upper edge of the simulated brick effect, thereby providing and promoting greater strength and rigidity, assuring less flexibility and susceptibility to damage or breakage due to weather conditions.

According to the invention the siding strip is formed of a layer of felt (of organic or inorganic base) saturated or impregnated with bituminous material to which is amalgamated, by the medium of a pre-determined application of. bituminous binding materiaL-another layer of saturated or impregnated felt, which latter layer is applied in its finished state, in that it has been pre viously saturated or impregnated and coated,

carrying, as it does, its granular surfacing To the remaining portion, representing the exposed surface, other than that to which the second layer .of felt has been amalgamated, is applied the granular surfacing material, of a suitable color, to effect or simulate the .mortar line. The colored granules available to the industry today afford a limitless variety of colorings or blendings to obtain any artistic effect desired. Furthermore, such asphalt butts are as a rule irregular, and at their upper edge tend to merge gradually into the body or mortar simulating portion of the shingle.- When they are laid, there is no real or accurate simulation of brick work. This is particularly true where there is no clear line of demarcation between the brick and mortar portions.

Finally, according to the invention, the mortar simulating portion is surfaced with particles of granules of a finer or coarser grade than those used on the brick simulating portions, so that individual appeal, needs, or requirements may be achieved. The use of a fine surfacing granule to simulate the mortar line efiect emphasizes the recess efiect, when a coarser granule, naturally of a contrasting color, is used in the simulation of the brick effect.

The use of finely divided granules also prevents the building up of the surface of the mortar simulating portion to 'an undue thickness, thereby tending to decrease the efiect of the sharp definition between such surface and the actual brick portion.

It is well known that the better grades of .siding have a greater felt content than poorer types. This increased amount of felt forms a better vehicle for the asphalt saturant, which thus increases the life of the siding. My type of siding having a double thickness of felt is .thus a distinct improvement on most forms.

Furthermore, the asphalt saturant in the exposed portion of the siding is sealed in by a coating of asphalt and slate.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear more fully from the following description, particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which forms a part thereof.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevationalfront view of a strip embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a portion of a wall covered with my siding.

Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Before proceeding with the description of the invention, I wish to make it clear that when in the specification and claims the term covering material is used, I intend to include not only brick-simulating siding but also roofing material and any other type of material for covering or surfacing any part of a building. Further, the term fibrous sheet means a sheet of fibrous material in which the fibres are so interlocked that the sheet has tensile strength, as compared to mere loose fibres which have no strength or shape in the absence of the bituminous binder.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the invention comprises first a base strip 2 formed of felt thoroughly impregnated or saturated with bitumen, and with its lower face coated with asphalt. This base strip 2 is coated on its upper face with adhesive layer 4 which may also be of asphalt of the same or of different quality from that used for the base strip.

This asphalt acts as an adhesive for securing to the base strip 2 along its lower edge a second strip 6 of felt, narrower than the base strip, and likewise impregnated-with asphalt. The outer surface of the strip 6 is coated with relatively coarse granules 8. The part of strip 2 not covered by the strip 6 is likewise coated with relatively fine granules 10, preferably of a color contrasting with the color of the granules 8.

The strip 6 and the portion of the base 2 beneath the same are provided at intervals with notches or kerfs 12, these notches being spaced apart by distances substantially equal to the length of a brick and being of a width substantially that of the normal layer of mortar between bricks. The notches preferably extend from the lower edge of the sheet 2 only up to the upper edge of the sheet 6.

In order to understand the invention, some knowledge of the manner in which the applicants strip is produced may be of some assistance. The base layer 2 of double width is im-' pregnated, and then the layer is given a coating of hot asphalt. The thickening layer 6, likewise of double width, is previously prepared by impregnating it with asphalt and then coating onesurface thoroughly with the granules 8. The two layers in strip form are brought together with the thickening layer at a point intermediate the 12 are cut out by suitable knives. The granular material which does not stick to the strip will, of course, drop off the shingle.

It will be noted that this forms a strip or siding element in which there isa very sharp definition or shoulder 14 at the upper edge of the brick simulating portions.

The siding elements are arranged on a wall in the manner shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Starting at the bottom a strip is applied to the wall 20 and nailed thereto as at 16. The next strip "is laid over the first strip with its lower edge coming down to a point spaced above the definition 14 by a distance substantially equal to the normal thickness of the mortar between the bricks in a wall. The cut-outs or notches 12 are preferably staggered with respect to the notches in the strip below.

The siding elements are, of course, nailed end to end against the whole face of the wall, the

. ends of the strips being provided with half notches 18 so that they may be positioned in aligned relationship to form together complete notch portions. I

When the wall is finished, there will be sharp definitions around the brick'simulating portion,

and the whole-product will resemble a brick wall ance between brick and mortar. Furthermore, o

it leaves the definition 14 sharply outlined so that the depth and shadow effects and the true appearance of brick are more faithfully obtained.

While I have described herein one embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not intend to limit myself thereby except within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Flexible covering material comprising a flexible base composed of a fibrous sheet impregnated with a waterproofing composition, and along one edge of said base a second fibrous sheet bonded to said first sheet and impregnated with a waterproofing composition and narrower than said base sheet, the edge of said narrower sheet being substantially flush with the edge of said base sheet and the other edge of said narrower sheet terminating in a sharply defined definition intermediate the edges ofsaid base sheet, the surface of said narrower sheet and of the exposed portion only of the base sheet having granular coatings thereon of contrasting color, said material having a notch extending from the common edge of said sheets inwardly and terminating at said definition.

2. A flexible brick siding strip comprising a fibrous base sheet impregnated with asphalt and having on one surface a layer of adhesive, and a second fibrous sheet impregnated with asphalt narrower than said base sheet superimposed thereon and bonded thereto by said adhesive with one edge flush with an edge of the base sheet and the other edge terminating in a sharply defined definition intermediate the edges of the base sheet, said sheets having notches therethrough beginning at the common edge and extending substantially perpendicular thereto and terminating at the definition, a coating of granular particles on the upper surface of said narrower sheet, and a coating of granular particles of a different color embedded inthe portion of the adhesive not covered by the narrower sheet.

3. A wall comprising a. support and a plurality of rows of strips as claimed in claim 2 secured on said support with the narrower sheet at the lower side of each strip and the lower edge of each strip spaced from the definition on the next lower strip by a space substantially equal to the normal mortar space between bricks.

4. Flexible covering material as claimed in "claim 1 having further notches at the ends of substantially half the width of the first notch and terminating at said definition.

5. Covering material as claimed in claim 1 in which the particles of the granular coating on the base sheet are smaller in size than those on the narrower sheet.

JOSEPH A. FEELY. 

